Momentum continues for U.S. aggregate production

By |  November 26, 2022
Fragmentation monitoring systems can offer insight on fragmentation in loader buckets, on conveyor belts and in other key places in the mine process. Photo: P&Q Staff

Aggregate production ticked upward 3 percent in the third quarter of 2022. Photo: P&Q Staff

An estimated 719 million metric tons (Mt) of construction aggregates were sold or used in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports.

The tonnage is an increase of 3 percent versus the third quarter of 2021, with the third quarter’s growth following a flat stretch in the second quarter for aggregate production nationwide.

Through nine months of the year, USGS says aggregate production totaled 1.87 billion metric tons (Gt). That mark is also an increase of 3 percent compared with the same 2021 period.

In the third quarter, aggregate production for consumption increased in six of the nine geographic divisions USGS tracks. The five leading aggregate-producing states were Texas, California, Ohio, Florida and Missouri. Their combined total was 206 Mt – a slight increase compared with the third quarter of 2021.

The five leading states’ combined total production for consumption in the first nine months of the year was 568 Mt – an increase of 7 percent versus the same period in 2021.

Crushed stone

Of the 719 Mt of aggregates produced in the third quarter, USGS says 437 Mt of those were crushed stone.

The quarterly crushed stone total is an increase of 3 percent versus the third quarter of 2021, USGS says. Crushed stone production is also up 3 percent through nine months of the year, totaling 1.14 Gt.

In the third quarter, USGS estimates that crushed stone production for consumption increased in five of the nine geographic divisions it tracks. The top five crushed stone-producing states were Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. Their combined production for consumption was 147 Mt.

Sand and gravel

USGS says sand and gravel production was also up in the third quarter, totaling 282 Mt.

The third-quarter total was only a slightly increase over the third quarter of 2021, the agency adds. Sand and gravel production was also up slightly through the first nine months of the year, totaling 724 Mt.

In the third quarter, sand and gravel production for consumption increased in seven of USGS’s nine geographic divisions. The top five sand and gravel-producing states were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Washington. Their combined total production for consumption was 98.8 Mt – a slight increase versus the same period of 2021.

Portland cement

Portland cement consumption, meanwhile, was up 4 percent in the third quarter of 2022 versus the third quarter of 2021. USGS says consumption in the first nine months of 2022 was up 4 percent.

About the numbers

USGS makes its aggregate production estimates based on information submitted to it on a quarterly sample survey of aggregate producers. The agency obtains its cement data from a monthly survey of cement producers.

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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